'neck'

Nefertiti

The Nefertiti Lift: Non-invasive jawline contouring fit for a queen

For a striking example of the perfect jawline, one need look no further than the iconic bust of the ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, and with just a few well-placed Btox injections, physicians may be able to help give patients similarly regal jawlines of their own.

In a recent study, Phillip M. Levy, M.D., described the “Nefertiti Lift” as a technique of  using botulinum toxin type A to “lift and improve the definition of the mandibular border and angle, elevate the corners of the mouth and drape the skin of the jawline contour, giving the visual effect of a ‘mini lift’.”(J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2007 Dec;9(4):249-52)

The study involved 130 subjects, all of whom were injected with 2 to 3 units of Btox under each mandible and along the upper part of the posterior platysmal band for a total of 15 to 20 units per side. Patients were specifically asked to contract the platysma muscle and the prominent band was grasped and injected at key points, along with the mandible injections.

At a two-week assessment, touchups were only needed in three patients, and patient satisfaction was described as “extremely high.”

Adverse events, reported in four patients, were minor and included two with mild dysphagia and an excessive ‘lifting’ muscular effect that resolved within 4 weeks, and two others with very slight, unilateral rapidly reversible smile incontinence due to partial chemodenervation of depressor labialis.

“(The latter effect) was technique-dependent and avoidable if injections were never more anterior than a line drawn from the naso-labial fold down to the mandible,” wrote Dr. Levy, a dermatologist based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Four cases were unsuccessful, and the lack of efficacy was likely a result of excessive fat on the mandibular border, he added.

B is longer-lasting in the lower face (results lasted an average of six months in Dr. Levy’s study), but there is also an increased potential for migration into surrounding muscles at higher doses, so it’s essential to use precise dosing and technique to avoid problems such as dysphagia, dysphonia and anterior neck weakness, Dr. Levy said.

“The Nefertiti Lift will undoubtedly bring great satisfaction to both patients and physicians as long as patient selection and injection technique are rigorously followed,” Dr. Levy .

We have used this for a while, with some nice results, but really choosing the right patient is the most important consideration.

Heavy jowling and fatty chins, will require surgery.

See also our neck treatments blog- Putting your best neck forward, 10/7.

Not everyone can claim to having a nice smooth, contoured neck/jawline, with little pigmentation of their neck/decolletage. Can you?

The neck can really be a tell-tale sign of aging.

The platysma is the layer of muscle from the collar-bone to the chin. Changes in the platysma may lead to characteristic banding, the cause of this is unknown .

These bands and horizontal necklines(necklace lines) are most amenable to treatment with Botox.

Well, recently there have been two studies out of America, looking at the use of Anti-wrinkle injections  for treatment of the aging neck.

In the February issue of respected journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the first study looked at the management of platysmal bands( the cords in the neck which give a “turkey-gobbler” appearance).

Here in a 3-year period, 1500 patients were treated by 3 independant practices.

THe indications for admission into treatment were

1. platysma banding not warrenting surgery

2. residual bands after surgery

3. horizontal neck lines with bands

4. and patients who were psychologically not ready for surgery, or had medical problems deeming them unfit for surgery.

Results-

1. 98.5% had good-to- excellent results,

the best rest results were in found in these groups-

- mild horizontal lines

-thin or mild flaccidity of bands

-mild skin laxity

-thick bands with moderate flaccidity of bands and moderate skin laxity.

So, with a thorough consultation, you may be able to have these necklace lines and bands reduced.

“What about your neck would you like to be improved?” is the question I ask you,

fortunately we have a safe and new , non-surgical treatment for these problems, don’t forget, we can also in some cases give your lower face a lift!

Side -effects of treatment are few, from bruising, to rarely neck weakness and swallowing difficulty.

So why don’t you call 1300 46 37 37 ( GO FRESH)

to put your best neck forward!